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  • Analysis and modeling of innovations in the global microalgae lipids market
    Publication . Carvalho, Natália Santana; Pessôa, Luiggi Cavalcanti; Deamici, Kricelle; da Silva, Jania Betânia Alves; de Souza Parga, Fernanda Aleluia; de Souza, Carolina Oliveira; Tavares, Pedro Paulo Lordelo Guimarães; de Jesus Assis, Denilson
    Microalgae lipids offer numerous advantages over those of plants and animals, enabling the sustainable commercialization of high value-added products in different markets. Although these markets are in a vertiginous annual expansion, technological life cycle modeling is a tool that has been rarely used for microalgae. Life cycle modeling is capable of assisting with decision-making based on data and is considered as a versatile model, usable in multiple software analyzing and diagnostic tasks. Modeling technological trends makes it possible to categorize the development level of the market and predict phase changes, reducing uncertainties and increasing investments. This study aims to fill this gap by performing a global analysis and modeling of microalgal lipid innovations. The Espacenet and Orbit platforms were used by crossing the keywords "microalgae", "lipid*", and the IPC code C12 (biochemistry and microbiology). Different sigmoid growth models were used in the present study. A successive repetition of the Chlorella genus category was found in the keyword clusters regarding extraction and separation of lipids. The life cycle S curve indicates a market starting at the maturity phase, where the BiDoseResp model stands out. The main countries and institutions at the technological forefront are shown, as well as potential technological domains for opening new markets.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • Editorial: positive psychology in everyday life
    Publication . Pocinho, Margarida; Garcês, Soraia; Popa, Daniela
    Positive Psychology has been established as a major-based-evidence field of knowledge that aims to understand how people can improve their lives, and ultimately, flourish. Studies have been conducted since Seligman (2016) and Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2014) spearheaded this movement of looking for the positive aspects of life rather than focusing on the negatives. However, although the focus of studies in the area of positive psychology is on “cultivating positive feelings, behaviors, or cognitions” (Sin and Lyubomirsky, 2009, p. 468), we wonder whether beliefs about improved wellbeing in response to positive psychology interventions do not bias the way we conduct research in this field. Recent studies show that moderators may exist in such situations from both the characteristics of the activities designed in the interventions and those of the research participants. Current research has shown that participation in activities aimed at improving wellbeing positively biases the beliefs of people in the sample (Gander et al., 2022). It is therefore more than likely that respondents will respond positively to tasks in research designs, anticipating their beneficial purpose, engage in behaviors they would not ordinarily engage in, and self-evaluate themselves as more effective than they actually are.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • Meaning of luxury in hospitality: An analysis of multiple destinations
    Publication . Correia, Antónia; Reis, Helena; Moro, Sérgio; Kozak, Metin
    Over the recent years, the status of luxury has been a fast-growing niche market (Alnawas & Hemsley-Brown, 2019; Chang, Ko, & Leite, 2016; Lo & Yeung, 2020; Yang & Matilla, 2016), contributing to enhancing its status of tourism to a superior commodity, usually labelled as luxuries. This promise of status enhancement has attracted managers to enter the luxury segment, thus conferring to their resorts (Yin Chu, Liang Tang, & Yi Luo, 2016; Walls, Okumus, Wang, & Joon-Wuk Kwun, 2011). The hospitality industry exerts efforts to have high involvement services, rich physical environments and professional services that support the prices (Knutson, Stevens, Patton, & Thompson, 1993; Seyfi, Hall, & Rasoolimanesh, 2020; Titz, 2007). However, tourists in luxury hotels are not expected to have only functional benefits since they also look for value experiential services (Alnawas & Hemsley-Brown, 2019; Cetin & Walls, 2016; Chaney, Lunardo, & Mencarelli, 2018; Walls, Okumus, Wang, & Kwun, 2011).
    2022-08Journal article Restricted Show more
  • Physiological response of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) to long-term exposure to an anesthetic obtained from heterosigma akashiwo
    Publication . Gonçalves, Ana Teresa; Llanos-Rivera, Alejandra; Ruano, Miguel; Avello, Veronica; Gallardo-Rodriguez, Juan José; Astuya-Villalón, Allisson
    Despite the invaluable role of anesthetics as a tool for ensuring animal welfare in stressful situations, there is currently a lack of anesthetic drugs that meet the requirements of intensive aquaculture. In response to the growing interest in anesthetic substances of natural origin, this study evaluated the physiological and health impact of an anesthetic based on an extract of the microalga Heterosigma akashiwo on juvenile salmon (Salmo salar) exposed for a period of 72 h. To simulate a condition closer to reality where fish are subjected to stimuli (e.g., transport), the animals were exposed to 50 mg L-1 of algal extract and to physical stress. Functional, physiological, and histological parameters were evaluated in blood and tissues at different sampling periods (0, 24, and 72 h). There was no mortality and the induction and recovery times observed were within the established criteria for anesthetic efficacy. The anesthetic extract did not induce any side effects, such as stress or metabolic damage, indicating that this extract is a viable option for supporting fish welfare during deleterious events. This study provides information to support that the anesthetic extract tested, derived from H. akashiwo, is a promising candidate drug for operations requiring sedation (e.g., Salmonid transport).
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • Inhibition of SERCA and PMCA Ca2+-ATPase activities by polyoxotungstates
    Publication . Aureliano, Manuel; Fraqueza, Gil; Berrocal, Maria; Cordoba-Granados, Juan J.; Gumerova, Nadiia I.; Rompel, Annette; Gutierrez-Merino, Carlos; Mata, Ana M.
    Plasma membrane calcium ATPases (PMCA) and sarco(endo) reticulum calcium ATPases (SERCA) are key proteins in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis. Herein, we compare for the first time the inhibition of SERCA and PMCA calcium pumps by several polyoxotungstates (POTs), namely by Wells-Dawson phospho-tungstate anions [P2W18O62]6-(intact, {P2W18}), [P2W17O61]10-(monolacunary, {P2W17}), [P2W15O56]12-(trilacunary, {P2W15}), [H2P2W12O48]12-(hexalacunary, {P2W12}), [H3P2W15V3O62]6- (trivanadium-substituted, {P2W15V3}) and by Preyssler-type anion [NaP5W30O110]14-({P5W30}). The speciation in the solu-tions of tested POTs was investigated by 31P and 51V NMR spectroscopy. The tested POTs inhibited SERCA Ca2+- ATPase activity, whereby the Preyssler POT showed the strongest effect, with an IC50 value of 0.37 mu M. For {P2W17} and {P2W15V3} higher IC50 values were determined: 0.72 and 0.95 mu M, respectively. The studied POTs showed to be more potent inhibitors of PMCA Ca2+-ATPase activity, with lower IC50 values for {P2W17}, {P5W30} and {P2W15V3}.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • Water quality of a southwest Iberian coastal lagoon: Spatial and temporal variability
    Publication . Rosa, Alexandra; Cravo, Alexandra; Jacob, José; Correia, Cátia
    The present work aims to characterize Ria Formosa water quality considering its spatial, and temporal variability at two scales: short-term (among seasons) and long-term to evaluate its evolution over the past 40 years, by comparing six historical datasets with data obtained in this study. To attain these goals, four field surveys under different seasons and/or weather conditions were conducted between 2017 and 2019 at seven sites along the Ria Formosa, covering the water bodies specified for this system. In situ measurements (temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen) and water sampling for determination of nutrients, chlorophyll a and suspended solids were taken every 2 h at each site, during complete semidiurnal tidal cycles. Moreover, these data were complemented with in situ data acquired at a high frequency (every 15 min) by a real time observational station deployed at an inner area, close to a main channel, where the anthmpogenic pressure is more intense. Data analysis clearly depict a spatial variability pattern along the Ria Formosa, as well as a temporal heterogeneity, influenced by the contribution of precipitation, sediments, wind and water exchanges with the adjacent ocean. Between sampling sites, the lowest variability of water quality parameters occurred at the boundary coastal station, at the main inlet, in permanent connection with the ocean, while the maximum variability was found at both the lagoon edges, mainly due to the shallowness of the water column. Temporally, the highest concentrations of nutrients were obtained during the Wet/rainy conditions survey, under the influence of runoff. The lowest concentrations of nutrients were attained during the Summer, except for phosphate, due to consumption by phytoplankton. Although the sampling frequency along time has been limited, Ria Formosa water quality data from the last 40 years shows a decreasing trend in nutrients concentration and a marginal increase of dissolved oxygen, suggesting a water quality improvement over time, in contrast with other coastal lagoons that are showing a water quality deterioration due to an increasing anthropogenic pressure. Altogether, these are relevant aspects to consider regarding Ria Formosa present and future management, including climate change and anthropogenic pressures susceptibility assessment and to use them within an international context by comparison with other similar systems.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • Consistent predator-prey biomass scaling in complex food webs
    Publication . Perkins, Daniel M.; Hatton, Ian A.; Gauzens, Benoit; Barnes, Andrew D.; Ott, David; Rosenbaum, Benjamin; Vinagre, Catarina; Brose, Ulrich
    The ratio of predator-to-prey biomass is a key element in food webs. Here, the authors report a unified analysis of predator-prey biomass scaling in complex food webs, finding general patterns of sub-linear scaling across ecosystems and levels of organization. The ratio of predator-to-prey biomass is a key element of trophic structure that is typically investigated from a food chain perspective, ignoring channels of energy transfer (e.g. omnivory) that may govern community structure. Here, we address this shortcoming by characterising the biomass structure of 141 freshwater, marine and terrestrial food webs, spanning a broad gradient in community biomass. We test whether sub-linear scaling between predator and prey biomass (a potential signal of density-dependent processes) emerges within ecosystem types and across levels of biological organisation. We find a consistent, sub-linear scaling pattern whereby predator biomass scales with the total biomass of their prey with a near 3/4-power exponent within food webs - i.e. more prey biomass supports proportionally less predator biomass. Across food webs, a similar sub-linear scaling pattern emerges between total predator biomass and the combined biomass of all prey within a food web. These general patterns in trophic structure are compatible with a systematic form of density dependence that holds among complex feeding interactions across levels of organization, irrespective of ecosystem type.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • Perturbations created from the baseline in tennis: a test of barker’s behaviour setting theory
    Publication . Carvalho, Adriano; Carvalho, João; Araújo, Duarte
    The purpose of this study was to characterise perturbations created from the baseline in men's tennis following Barker's ecological psychology approach. In selected rallies of expert level tennis matches we identified the shot responsible for this perturbation and characterised it using a sequential approach based on the positioning of the players in the court, the technical actions used by both players, and the displacements that each player forced on the opponent. Results reveal specific patterns of player behaviour and types of displacement in response to the opponent. Moreover, we found significant variability of the technical actions and action zones expressed during the perturbation processes. These results suggest that perturbation behaviours are constrained by the 'behaviour setting', which allows individuality during the search for effective solutions to achieve a specific goal. This test of Barker's behaviour setting theory in sport offers a principled guidance for coaches embed psychology into task design for practice sessions.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • Diving into the vertical dimension of elasmobranch movement ecology
    Publication . Andrzejaczek, Samantha; Lucas, Tim C. D.; Goodman, Maurice C.; Hussey, Nigel E.; Armstrong, Amelia J.; Carlisle, Aaron; Coffey, Daniel M.; Gleiss, Adrian C.; Huveneers, Charlie; Jacoby, David M. P.; Meekan, Mark G.; Daly, Ryan; Dewar, Heidi; Doherty, Philip D.; McAllister, Jaime D.; Domingo, Andrés; Dove, Alistair D. M.; Drew, Michael; Dudgeon, Christine L.; Duffy, Clinton A. J.; Elliott, Riley G.; Papastamtiou, Yannis P.; Ellis, Jim R.; Erdmann, Mark V.; Farrugia, Thomas J.; Ferreira, Luciana C.; McCully Phillips, Sophy R.; Ferretti, Francesco; Filmalter, John D.; Finucci, Brittany; Fischer, Chris; Fitzpatrick, Richard; Patterson, Toby A.; Forget, Fabien; Forsberg, Kerstin; Francis, Malcolm P.; Franks, Bryan R.; Gallagher, Austin J.; McGregor, Frazer; Galvan-Magana, Felipe; García, Mirta L.; Gaston, Troy F.; Gillanders, Bronwyn M.; Pierce, Simon J.; Gollock, Matthew J.; Green, Jonathan R.; Green, Sofia; Griffiths, Christopher A.; Hammerschlag, Neil; Hasan, Abdi; McMillan, Matthew N.; Hawkes, Lucy A.; Hazin, Fabio; Heard, Matthew; Peel, Lauren R.; Hearn, Alex; Hedges, Kevin J.; Henderson, Suzanne M.; Holdsworth, John; Holland, Kim N.; Howey, Lucy A.; Hueter, Robert E.; McNaughton, Lianne M.; Humphries, Nicholas E.; Hutchinson, Melanie; Queiroz, Nuno; Jaine, Fabrice R. A.; Jorgensen, Salvador J.; Kanive, Paul E.; Labaja, Jessica; Lana, Fernanda O.; Lassauce, Hugo; Lipscombe, Rebecca S.; Llewellyn, Fiona; Mendonça, Sibele A.; Macena, Bruno C. L.; Radford, Craig A.; Meyer, Carl G.; Meyers, Megan; Mohan, John A.; Mourier, Johann; Montgomery, John C.; Mucientes, Gonzalo; Musyl, Michael K.; Nasby-Lucas, Nicole; Natanson, Lisa J.; O’Sullivan, John B.; Richardson, Andy J.; Oliveira, Paulo; Richardson, Anthony J.; Righton, David; Rohner, Christoph A.; Brooks, Edward J.; Royer, Mark A.; Saunders, Ryan A.; Schaber, Matthias; Schallert, Robert J.; Abrantes, Kátya; Scholl, Michael C.; Seitz, Andrew C.; Semmens, Jayson M.; Setyawan, Edy; Shea, Brendan D.; Brown, Judith; Shidqi, Rafid A.; Shillinger, George L.; Shipley, Oliver N.; Shivji, Mahmood S.; Sianipar, Abraham B.; Afonso, André S.; Silva, Joana F.; Sims, David W.; Skomal, Gregory B.; Sousa, Lara L.; Burke, Patrick J.; Southall, Emily J.; Spaet, Julia L. Y.; Stehfest, Kilian M.; Stevens, Guy; Stewart, Joshua D.; Sulikowski, James A.; Ajemian, Matthew J.; Syakurachman, Ismail; Thorrold, Simon R.; Thums, Michele; Butcher, Paul; Tickler, David; Tolloti, Mariana T.; Townsend, Kathy A.; Travassos, Paulo; Tyminski, John P.; Vaudo, Jeremy J.; Veras, Drausio; Anderson, Brooke N.; Wantiez, Laurent; Weber, Sam B.; Castleton, Michael; Wells, R.J. David; Weng, Kevin C.; Wetherbee, Bradley M.; Williamson, Jane E.; Witt, Matthew J.; Wright, Serena; Zilliacus, Kelly; Block, Barbara A.; Anderson, Scot D.; Curnick, David J.; Chapple, Taylor K.; Araujo, Gonzalo; Armstrong, Asia O.; Bach, Pascal; Barnett, Adam; Bennett, Mike B.; Bezerra, Natalia A.; Bonfil, Ramon; Boustany, Andre M.; Bowlby, Heather D.; Branco, Ilka; Chateau, Olivier; Braun, Camrin D.; Clarke, Maurice; Coelho, Rui; Cortes, Enric; Mambrasar, Ronald; Couturier, Lydie I. E.; Cowley, Paul D.; Croll, Donald A.; Cuevas, Juan M.; Curtis, Tobey H.; Dagorn, Laurent; Dale, Jonathan J.
    Knowledge of the three-dimensional movement patterns of elasmobranchs is vital to understand their ecological roles and exposure to anthropogenic pressures. To date, comparative studies among species at global scales have mostly focused on horizontal movements. Our study addresses the knowledge gap of vertical movements by compiling the first global synthesis of vertical habitat use by elasmobranchs from data obtained by deployment of 989 biotelemetry tags on 38 elasmobranch species. Elasmobranchs displayed high intra- and interspecific variability in vertical movement patterns. Substantial vertical overlap was observed for many epipelagic elasmobranchs, indicating an increased likelihood to display spatial overlap, biologically interact, and share similar risk to anthropogenic threats that vary on a vertical gradient. We highlight the critical next steps toward incorporating vertical movement into global management and monitoring strategies for elasmobranchs, emphasizing the need to address geographic and taxonomic biases in deployments and to concurrently consider both horizontal and vertical movements.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more
  • The acheulean of the upper Guadiana river basin (central Spain). Morphostratigraphic context and chronology
    Publication . Santonja, M.; Pérez-González, A.; Baena, J.; Panera, J.; Méndez-Quintas, E.; Uribelarrea, D.; Demuro, M.; Arnold, L.; Abrunhosa, Ana; Rubio-Jara, S.
    In the upper basin of the Guadiana River, especially in the sectors drained by its right-bank tributaries, the Bullaque and Becea rivers, important concentrations of Acheulean and Mousterian industries can be found in a superficial position. These industries have provided series containing tens of thousands of pieces. Deposits in stratigraphic position have also been identified, related to the fluvial terraces of the Guadiana and Jabalon rivers and some tributaries. Within the sector studied, in the province of Ciudad Real, the position of these deposits is related to alluvial fans developed on the slopes of the immediate reliefs. These fans, mainly composed of Lower and Middle Ordovician quartzite gravel, were eroded in their distal positions by the Bullaque and Becea rivers, forming very low terraces on which large concentrations of Acheulean and Mousterian lithic industry can be found. El Sotillo, the only known stratigraphic site in the area, was excavated in 2017-2019 and consists of several levels with Mousterian and Acheulean industry. We present the technological characteristics of the main Acheulean assemblage recognised at this site, for which numerical dates have been obtained placing its chronology in the second half of the Middle Pleistocene. The location of these sites, in surficial position and El Sotillo, allows us to recognise a territorial space with specific geographic characteristics and a very significant human impact.
    2022-08Journal article Open Access Show more